488 purchase - Approved Used or Independant

[andy tims]

Further to my Spider vs GTB thread, I'm leaning towards the Spider.

Like for like price comparison is difficult, but the approved used cars look to be in the region of £15,000 more for comparable age & mileage & are getting towards the point where, although I have the funds, it's a bit more than I really want to spend, not to mention comfortably above the budget I agreed with the Mrs.

The main benefit of approved used is clearly the 2 year Ferrari warranty, plus the hopefully very thorough inspection the car will have undergone before the dealer puts it on the showroom floor.

So have others in perhaps similar a position gone independant & wished they hadn't?

I'm also after recommendations for experts to do a pre-purchase inspection for me if I do go down the independant route?

Thanks in advance.

Edited by andy tims on Monday 29th December 13:51

[Trev450]

I purchased my, at the time, 7 year old 488 from probably one of the most iffy independants in the country. (PH rules prevent me from naming them). Anyway, the point is, I had my trusted indy do a thorough PPI on the car which was imo much more comprehensive than the dealers do, and of course I did all the usual financial and past history checks. Once it had checked out to my satisfaction I concluded the sale. Apart from the car ticking all of my desired boxes, it was also at least £12K less than approved dealers were charging for similar examples. If it's only the lack of warrany that is holding you back, you can purchase one yourself after having the car inspected by your dealer and it won't be anywhere near the saving you will be making by going to an independant.

[andy tims]

Thanks - Can you let me have the details of the trusted indy you got to do the PPI please?

[Trev450]

andy tims said:

Thanks - Can you let me have the details of the trusted indy you got to do the PPI please?

It was RE Performance in Swindon. He doesn't usually do many PPI's but as an old established customer he made an exception.

He would probably do one however if you could get the car to him or if it was reasonably close by.

[andyr]

I havr a 458 but went through the same main dealer or Indy thought process.

In the end I bought from an Indy - Autologix. Who are very good IMHO. I believe I bought my car for a very good price - possibly 20k less than the main dealer.

However, I arranged for the PPI to be done by Ferrari - where it had been serviced for the past few years. I also paid for the existing warranty to be extended at the same time. And Autologix paid for the main dealer service.

So I was happy I was buying a car that had been properly looked after and had a thorough inspection.

In the last 4.5 years, nothing has gone wrong that wasn’t covered by the extended warranty.

[paul0843]

I am also having a sniff at 488s.
My view is that specs vary so much,that if you come across the one that ticks your boxes,as long as a good
inspection is done,do not restict yourself to main dealers.
I would also have no issue buying from a specialist that may not necessarily have the best
reputation as long as i satisfied myself car was good.
No 2 cars are the same,so would be considering everything available. Paul

[johnnyreggae]

Don't forget one of the issues with inspection is geography so you'll need to share a rough location of any car you're interested in to get a localish recommendation

[Beanie]

Also looking at a 488. With these being older cars, anyone shed any light on finance solutions. Assuming pcp off the table due to age. Any finance examples?

Edited by Beanie on Thursday 1st January 19:25

[LC23]

For a PPI and ongoing work, you could look to Scott at DCT Scuderia. I have used him for the past couple of years for my Cali (it is actually currently in for a service with him). He did mention he does PPIs and he is very thorough. Really nice guy as well.

https://www.dctscuderia.co.uk/

[jdwoodbury]

For finance try Classic and Sports Finance (small outfit and good service), I have used them several times on slightly older supercars. https://www.classicandsportsfinance.com/

I also bought my 488 from an independent but it had Ferrari extended warranty on it, it was totally fine in my 18 months of ownership bar the low battery wobbles, keep the battery fully topped up!